Workshop Recap: How We Got It Built - Skid Row's 649 Lofts
On Thursday, July 15th, SCANPH convened for a new recurring webinar series in which a SCANPH developer member presents one project in 30 minutes to share lessons learned from its unique path to completion. Our third session highlighted Skid Row Housing Trust’s 649 Lofts. This development is a unique, cutting edge project design that incorporates both housing and health in one creatively designed community. It is a mixed-use transit-oriented development project that consists of 55 mixed-income units with both affordable housing and permanent supportive housing, located above the new Josuha House Health Center, a three-story 25,000 sq. ft. flagship clinic, to be operated by LA Christian Health Center (LACHC). It is a milestone project designed for the community, incorporating permanent supportive housing with a state of the art full service health care center in the heart of Skid Row. The income/rent range is 30-50 percent AMI’s and the population served consists of chronically homeless, special needs and veterans.
This project will not only serve 54 tenants, but will provide the surrounding community with medical services. This project was eligible for HHH funding with fourteen contributing financing partners. The development timeline had four phases; site acquisition, predevelopment and securing entitlements, construction, and completing construction. This project took 2.5 years to secure entitlements and gather financing awards, in addition to closing construction financing. Construction took 2 years and likely will take an additional 6 months to convert to permanent housing. This site was formerly a commercial strip mall and one tenant had to be relocated, which took additional budgeting.
The Skid Row Housing Trust team experienced several obstacles throughout the development process. This particular project was finished within inches of its height restriction. Additionally, this project faced challenges such as managing parking restrictions, integrating residential and clinic facilities, and navigating pandemic-related delays. As a result of delays, this project had cost overruns due to COVID-19.